Dentists eliminate decay and fill dental cavities with a special material in the first phase of dental treatment. The next step is endodontics, or root canal treatment, which often results from untreated tooth decay. During this process, bacteria penetrate the tooth, leading to inflammation. Root canal treatment applies to both permanent and milk teeth. Pediatric dentists consider endodontics to be an important element of their field.
Root canal treatment (endodontics) is indicated when there is a disease in the dental pulp or periapical tissues. Pain often accompanies these conditions. The first-contact dentist can diagnose them and refer the patient for microscope-assisted root canal treatment performed by an endodontist. Endodontics is a field focused on preventing or eliminating inflammation in the dental pulp. Root canal treatment involves several stages, including widening the canals, appropriate disinfection, and filling of the resulting space. Modern endodontics utilizes a microscope, mechanical tools, and special devices for canal filling.
Root canal treatment (endodontics) is preceded by a thorough diagnosis, allowing for effective elimination of the causes of pulp diseases. During the first visit, the dentist makes an initial diagnosis based on radiological examination—depending on the needs, this can be a regular RVG or a computed tomography. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a fast, non-invasive, and precise examination that helps the dentist plan the course of root canal treatment. Upon the patient’s request, it can be performed under local anesthesia, completely eliminating any unpleasant pain. During the visit, the dentist uses a microscope with a built-in camera—this allows live recording of the procedures and taking pictures. Shaping the canals correctly is crucial, and for this purpose, modern mechanical tools are indispensable. Thanks to these innovations, the dentist carries out tooth reconstruction during the visit (which usually lasts from one to two hours, depending on the type of treated tooth), ensuring the patient’s comfort and minimizing the risk of fractures.
After undergoing root canal treatment, the tooth requires prosthetic restoration. The type of restoration depends on the extent of tooth tissue damage. Warsaw Dental Center dental clinic offers patients restorations that are completed within a few tens of minutes thanks to the use of CAD/CAM technology. Teeth treated with root canal therapy are much more susceptible to fractures, making it crucial to strengthen and restore them as quickly as possible. Our doctors approach each case individually, believing that a holistic treatment model leads to successful outcomes. By utilizing the best solutions offered by modern endodontics and prosthodontics, we can save the majority of teeth. The doctor recommends proper preventive care—monitoring the condition of the teeth during check-up visits every six months, during which the integrity of the restoration is assessed and radiographs are taken.
The most common symptoms suggesting the need for endodontic treatment include pain—either spontaneous or triggered by stimuli such as temperature or sweet taste from consumed food—as well as gum swelling and fistula. These symptoms should be promptly consulted with a dentist (conservative dentistry), who may recommend endodontic treatment. Teeth that have been traumatized or have fractured walls require root canal treatment. Sometimes, pulp diseases may progress without symptoms and are incidentally detected during routine check-ups. In such cases, even without pain, undergoing root canal treatment is recommended. Failure to do so may result in bacteria destroying tissues around the tooth, ultimately necessitating its extraction. It’s important to note that during inflammation, a tooth can cause infection in other organs—bacteria can enter the bloodstream, damaging our body. Hence, it’s crucial to eliminate inflammations in the oral cavity. Endodontics is the simplest and most cost-effective method to preserve our natural teeth.
It’s essential to dispel myths surrounding this method—modern dentistry eliminates the risk of experiencing unpleasant pain (patients suffering from dentophobia can undergo the procedure under general anesthesia), and it does not lead to other systemic diseases caused by endodontic treatment. On the contrary, a correctly performed treatment eliminates potential inflammations.
In some cases, endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) may not succeed. In such instances, a procedure known as reendo, or retreatment, becomes necessary.
Reendo is performed when a patient continues to experience tooth pain after already undergoing root canal treatment. The dentist conducts relevant examinations, including X-rays, and based on the findings, determines that a repeat root canal treatment is necessary. This is most commonly needed in cases such as:
Repeat root canal treatment follows a similar process to the initial treatment, although the procedure often takes significantly longer.
Dr. Urszula Leończak, who leads the team of endodontists at Warsaw Dental Center, graduated from the Warsaw Medical University. She furthered her education at the International University of Catalonia in Barcelona. In 2018, she obtained the title of Master of Endodontics (MSc). Dr. Leończak continually enhances her qualifications and conducts training for both Polish and international doctors. Her knowledge, passion, and innovative approach to contemporary endodontics are well-regarded within the scientific community. Patients appreciate her empathy and thorough understanding of their issues.
In a professional dental practice, an endodontist will explain the course of the procedure and ensure proper anesthesia for the patient, ensuring that the treatment is painless.
Warsaw Dental Center Leończak Kupryś Sp.k.
NIP: 1182180875
